Oak Farms Dairy in Waco, Texas is voluntarily recalling half gallon plastic bottles of whole chocolate milk, half pint paper cartons of whole chocolate milk, and half pint paper cartons of 1% chocolate milk due to the presence of Alkaline Phosphatase found in samples during routine testing. The significance of the alkaline phosphatase is that it is typically only present in unpasteurized milk products.  It is an enzyme that is typically destroyed during pasteurization.  Because the milk contains alkaline phosphatase and was thus inadequately pasteurized, there is a risk that the product may be contaminated by pathogenic bacteria like E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria.  

The company’s records reflect – and (according to a company press release) subsequent testing confirms – that this issue was limited in scope to product processed during a two-hour window. The company has confirmed that all pasteurization equipment was performing to standard, and the Texas Department of State Health Services returned to the plant and found the pasteurizer, pressure differentials and flow rates operating normally. The cause of the positive test result is under investigation, and the company initiated the voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution.

The recall involves approximately 64,000 units of the affected product, which was distributed in Texas (San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Temple, Killeen, Hillsboro, Mexia, Wichita Falls, Lindale and Jacksonville) through numerous retail outlets, schools and food service settings. The company is actively notifying customers and is in the process of retrieving the affected product.

HOW TO IDENTIFY THE RECALLED PRODUCT

This recall includes only half gallon plastic bottles of whole chocolate milk, half pint paper cartons of whole chocolate milk, and half pint paper cartons of 1% chocolate milk that carry the Oak Farms Dairy name and the plant code 48-3302. Packages are printed with a “BEST BY” or “SELL BY” date of March 22, 2011 (printed as MAR 22 on paper half pints, 03/22/11 on plastic half gallons) and a UPC code of 4127100724, 7002635006 or 7002635007. Only packages with the plant code 48-3302 are being recalled.

No other Oak Farms Dairy products are involved in this recall. In particular, this recall does not impact any Oak Farms Dairy products in Dallas or Houston.